Misool / Raja Ampat, Indonesia Expedition 2010

Come dive the famed reefs of Raja Ampat with Wetpixel! Raja Ampat, Indonesia, is generally considered to be the center of tropical marine biodiversity. Lush, colorful coral reefs are a backdrop for exceptional fish and invertebrate life.

Note that Wetpixel is also running a Ambon Night Safari from Nov 7-16, 2010. There will be at least 3 of us who are doing both trips; we plan to migrate from Ambon to Sorong sometime between Nov 16-19. This means that if you would like to do both trips, you can join us and we’ll do the planning.

Diving Style: Misool is located in the heart of Raja Ampat, and Misool Eco Resort is nestled deep in the middle of its own 425 square-kilometer patrolled no-take zone. The tropical reefs here are as lush as you will ever see, with a good mix of wide-angle and macro subjects. There will be boat dives, but you can also opt to dive the local house reef, which is also fantastic.

We plan on doing 3 boat dives a day, plus (optional) unlimited local house reef diving. The local house reef diving can be done with or without guides. Local dive guides / critter spotters are available for hire. The resort provides Nitrox, and because Wetpixel has booked the entire resort, dives will be long and unrestricted (within reason). Don’t worry: no one will be harassing you to come up to the surface after only 60 minutes!

Accommodation: Eight air-conditioned, over-water cottages are located on the north lagoon, built on stilts over the water. They are just steps from the dive center and restaurant, and steps lead from private verandas down into the lagoon itself. The house reef is 100 fin kicks away!

Cost/ Person: US$4,750 + optional $500 unlimited house reef package

Note that this includes many things that are normally extra in dive trips (Nitrox, park fees, taxes, transfers). Included in the base package is:

13 nights accommodation, 11 full dive days

meals and non-alcoholic beverages

boat transfer to and from Sorong

government taxes

Raja Ampat park fees

departure package: 1 night at Je Meredien in Sorong with dinner and breakfast, transfers to airport

30 guided Nitrox boat dives

OPTIONAL: unlimited unguided Nitrox house reef dives (US$500)

Not included is airfare, additional local accommodation during transfers, alcoholic drinks, additional dives.

Deposit: US$1,500, due with bookingPayment 1: US$1,500, due May 1, 2010Balance: Balance of payment due 1 July 2010.

Contact Person for booking: Dan Baldocchi, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Getting There: Guests must arrive in Sorong on or before November 20, 2010. Please contact Dan for full details.

Boat Transfer: The transfer vessel, Marandan, is a brand-new 14-meter fiberglass boat with a seating capacity of 20 persons in a covered cabin. There is additional seating outside. The cabin features reclining seats, air-conditioning, toilet, shower, and all safety equipment. Marandan is powered by three 250 horsepower engines. A typical transfer in good weather takes just over 3 hours.